What Is The Raw Food Lifestyle All About?

Ann Wigmore (who I consider the Mother of the raw food diet) believed that there are two main causes of disease and disorder: toxemia and deficiency. Toxemia is blood poisoning caused by bacterial substances in the blood. These poisons or toxins are caused by eating processed, unnatural and pesticide tainted foods which have permeated our culture. Toxins in the blood are also caused by unhealthy stress in the body. Deficiency means insufficiency in the body or undernourishment in the body due to the lack of nutrients in indigestible cooked foods. Ann Wigmore developed the Living Foods Lifestyle to combat these two perils that have taken over our lives.

The raw food lifestyle also known as the living foods lifestyle... is an alternative approach to life and health. The living foods lifestyle consists of foods such as nuts, seeds, grains, sprouts, fruits, vegetables and sea vegetables that have not been heated above 118 degrees. Raw and living foods both contain enzymes, but the enzyme count is much higher in living foods due to the sprouting process (soaking in water). For people who are chronically ill, consuming only sprouted foods are the better rout due to the higher enzyme count.  Sprouting removes the enzyme inhibitors from foods for easier digestion.  I can tell when nuts have not been soaked.  They have a heavier feel to my body and digestion is not as smooth.

Thousands of people have found enormous benefit and healing by incorporating living foods into their lives. People adopt this lifestyle to promote weight loss, to increase mental clarity, and to slow the aging process. Living foods also help to increase energy and well being, improve chronic and degenerative diseases, and detoxify the body from internal and external toxins.  One of the main benefits I received was clearer skin.  I often get compliments on my natural glow and it stems from the raw food diet.

The easiest way to lose weight on any diet program is to decrease the amount of calories consumed. Raw vegetables and greens have the fewest calories of any food, with fruits following a close second. These foods have high water content and a load of nutrients which make them easier to digest and dispel. When eating foods this high in nutrients, your hunger decreases and your cravings subside.

Raw foods can aid in slowing the aging process too. Aging is the phenomenon that everyone will eventually have to deal with. Raw foods are filled with enormous amounts of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber. A body that is filled with an abundance of nutrients will age slowly. The nutrients from the foods strengthen the bones, boost the immune system and promote healthy skin. The foods are low in toxins and are free from carcinogens, so the body does not have to work as hard to stay healthy. Fibers in raw foods keep the digestive system healthy and viable. Aging is always characterized by the loss of energy in the body. One of the adverse effects of aging is the slowdown of the digestive process resulting in a host of illnesses. 

Finally, the living foods lifestyle can help detoxify the body internally and externally.   When toxins are tucked inside your cells, they interfere with the cellular chemistry and decrease the body’s energy production. When toxins exit the cells, they attack the nerves which causes irritation. When toxins are expelled, symptoms range from cravings, fatigue, irritability, and physical pains. The body usually craves the most toxic foods until the proper nutrients have been incorporated into the system. When the body is fighting toxins, all energy goes into healing which causes exhaustion and irritation. Physical symptoms include aches and pains, nausea, headaches, runny nose, skin breakouts, sleep problems and gastrointestinal disturbances. I have experienced all of the above at one time or another, but after starting this diet, I really don't have any health issues now.  Thank God!!!